River Valley Rewind (Aug. 26, 2015)Winning smiles...are displayed by winners in a smile contest sponsored by Pope County Dental Society in observance of National Children’s Dental Health Week. The winners and schools they represent are Kay Cox of Dwight, Jessica McGhee of Crawford, Stan Bradley of Oakland Heights, Marian Mack of Russellville High School and Judy Duryea of Gardner Junior High.

RVF4K hosts backpack driveFor some students in the Arkansas River Valley, a backpack full of food and snacks helps to ensure they eat during the weekends. River Valley Food 4 Kids (RVF4K) is conducting a backpack drive between now and Sept. 7 to replace old, worn backpacks for some 800 kids in the Russellville School District who participate in the organization's backpack program. Many of the backpacks that are currently being used are several years old and are in poor...

ATU seeks to add two undergrad programsArkansas Tech University will develop two new undergraduate degree programs following Thursday’s action by the ATU Board of Trustees. Trustees approved letters of intent that will be forwarded to the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) announcing the university’s plans to create a Bachelor of Arts degree in game and interactive media design and a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science. Dr. A.J. Anglin, interim vic...

Cemetery gets OK for columbariumAfter getting some clarification from Finance Director Jerry McKaughan, the council approved separate appropriations of $8,836 and an ordinance to change the pricing at Oakland Cemetery to allow for the purchase of a columbarium. McKaughan and City Attorney Trey Smith wanted to make sure the 72 niches of a columbarium could be considered owned by the city and a capital item — therefore half of the $16,000 could be appropriated from the economi...

RPD investigates indecent exposureRussellville Police Department officers responded to the report of an indecent exposure at approximately 3:20 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Knoxville Avenue and East Main Street. Officers determined after a preliminary on scene investigation that a male driving a white Chrysler Sebring exposed himself to students on a Russellville School District bus. The driver was wearing a bandana or a mask covering his face. Students informed the bus ...

Smoke causes evacuationRussellville firefighters and police responded to Dwight Elementary School on Monday morning about 9:20 to a fire alarm. Students were evacuated from the building for a little over an hour due to smoke entering the building from roof repair work.

Aldermen approve job, salary changes at Public WorksIn a short meeting on Monday, the Russellville City Council approved changes to the job descriptions and salaries for two positions within the Public Works Department. The updated descriptions were approved with little discussion on Monday. Aldermen noted they previously received and reviewed the proposed changes, but never formally voted to approve them. Positions affected are the Public Works assistant/technician and Public Works assistant/r...

News Briefs (Aug. 25, 2015)Two Rivers revises meeting, game dates The Two Rivers School District parent teacher conferences are going to be from 2-6 p.m. on Sept. 15. The Two Rivers junior high football game at Danville has been moved to 7 p.m. on Sept. 15. No driving tests There will be no knowledge or skills tests given this week at Clarksville, Troop J. It will be closed today. Alternative locations will be Danville, Boston Plaza. For questions call 679-754-3096. Lib...

Your eyes are getting heavy..Willing Arkansas Tech University freshmen underwent hypnosis by Matt Grisham for the entertainment of other incoming freshmen Sunday night in the Witherspoon auditorium. Welcome Week continued Monday with the Class of 2019 formal orientation.

Sheriff's office seeks rape suspectThe Pope County Sheriff's Office issued a bulletin Monday asking for the public's help in locating Aaron Lyle Riddle, 35, who is wanted on two counts of rape. Riddle's last known address is 4995 Gunter Mountain Road in Hector. He was last seen driving a 1994 black Nissan pickup truck, with Arkansas license No. 065PXB. He has no known weapons. PCSO advised Riddle has made some suicidal gestures recently. Riddle is a white male, 6 feet tall and ...

Haley announces candidacyJennifer Haley, 45, of Hector announces her candidacy for Pope County Tax Collector in the upcoming March Republican Primary. Haley has worked in the Tax Collector’s office for eight years, beginning as a part-time employee, and currently serving as Chief Deputy Collector with almost 50 continuing education hours through the Arkansas Collector’s Association. Prior work experiences include the Russellville Police Department, Fifth Judicial Pros...

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FOR THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Bridge results (Aug. 23, 2015)The Duplicate Bridge Club met on Aug. 17 at the Senior Activity Center. The first place winners for North/South were Gordon and Sue Thornsberry. The second place winners for North/South were Peggy Griffin and Nancy Lassiter. The first place winners for East/West were Lynn Johnson and Jane Rankin. The second place winners for East/West were Tom Hlass and Judy Prinel. The next game will be on Aug. 31, at the Senior Activity Center. Anybody that ...

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THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Club News: Pope County Cattlemen’s AssociationThe Pope County Cattlemen’s Association met at 7 p.m. on July 16, at the Oak Grove Freewill Baptist Church Fellowship Hall for the regular monthly meeting. The opening prayer was given by the pastor Mark Simmons and then members and guest enjoyed a delicious meal of brisket, potatoes, beans and a desert. President Gerald Chenowith called the meeting to order and thanked Brandon Oakley for sponsoring the meal. First vice-president Walters intro...

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THE COURIER / SubmittedThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

News Briefs (Aug. 24, 2015)Hatley pig roast planned for Sept. 12 The Hatley Rural Fire Department will be hosting its annual Pig Roast at 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 at the Hatley Fire Department on Hwy 164 E. Donations will be accepted for the meal. There will be door prizes and live music. For more information, call 479-747-4472 or 479-747-9174. Community choir accepting new singers The Community Festival Chorale is accepting new and returning singers for the fall semester. Re...

Live entertainment at the Pope County FairThis year the fair will feature live musical performances by local area artists and visiting artists from Texas. The musical entertainment will feature bands and artists such as Denim & Pearl, Heavens 2 Betsy, Lucas Ciliberti and Sunny Sweeney. For a complete list of scheduled events for this year’s Pope County Fair, visit www.popecountyfair.com Denim & Pearl Denim & Pearl is a five piece band from the Paris and Fort Smith area who started per...

NRC plans meeting on Arkansas Nuclear OneThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet in Russellville on Sept. 17 with representatives of Entergy Operations to discuss preparations for a comprehensive inspection to be conducted in early 2016 at Arkansas Nuclear One. The meeting, which will be open to the public, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Lakepoint Conference Center, 61 Lake Point Lane. Entergy officials will brief the NRC on preparations they are making for the comp...

Thurlby promoted to rank of colonel in U.S. Air Force ReserveJefferson R. Thurlby, of Russellville, was promoted to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in a ceremony at Little Rock Air Force Base on Aug. 8, 2015. Thurlby is the Chief of Aerospace Medicine at the 913th Aeromedical Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base. He has served in the military for 20 years. Thurlby is the son of W. Robert Thurlby of Mount Nebo and Camille Talburt of Russellville. He is the brother of Cara Payne of Rus...